Local News

  1. Local Publicity, March 5, 2000
  2. Car Stuck, March 22, 2000
  3. Robbery of RC Pilot, march 23, 2000
  4. Road Closed during Tin Hau Festival, April 24, 2000
  5. Irretrievable Damage to Our Flying Site!, October 8, 2000
  6. Be Careful of Sting by Bees!, October 9, 2000
  7. Local Publicity by Ming Po Daily, January 8, 2001
  8. Video Shooting of Our R/C Soaring Activities by Cable TV, May 8, 2001
  9. A new local R/C soaring club was born!, July 3, 2001
  10. Tow plane for thermal soaring, July 7, 2001
  11. Accident in Ma On Shan, October 25, 2001
  12. Fire in Clearwater Bay, October 27, 2001
  13. Slope Combat Contest, November 11, 2001
  14. HKRCSS 2001 Annual General Meeting, January 26, 2002
  15. Aviation Day and Exhibition, February 23, 2002
  16. Slope soarers trapped in the bushes, August 26, 2002
  17. Slope Combat Contest in Fei Ngo Shan, October 20, 2002
  18. F3F Race in Clearwater Bay North-Facing Slope, November 3, 2002
  19. F3F Race in Ma On Shan, December 15, 2002
  20. Slope soarers injured by a run wild sailplane, August 24, 2003

Local Publicity

On the front page!  Slope soaring in Hong Kong has been given a boost in publicity. A local magazine has recently put up a column about RC slope soaring activities in Hong Kong.  In the following picture printed in the magazine, you may find some of our enthusiast pilots of over three generations.

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Generations of RC Slope Soarers


Car Stuck

Warning: Recently, we have a small incident related to a car which got stuck in a water ditch in Clearwater Bay. Please see the photo below. The event happened when one of our fellow pilots who tried to pull his car out of the unpaved field next to the flying ground after a day of fun. He didn't notice that there is a water drainage ditch between the field and the road. As he steered his wheel for a back turn, the left front wheel was immersed into the ditch. It took at least six strong men half an hour of efforts to release him. As we all know that the available parking spaces in Clearwater Bay are rare during weekend, our fellow pilots please take extra care if you really need to drive up to the unpaved field for parking!

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Robbery of RC Pilot

Recently, there is news report that one of our fellow RC pilots who flew RC sailplanes alone in Fei Ngo Shan was robbed by two young men.  The incident happened on Monday, 20 March at noon time when Mr. Wong was flying his sailplanes in Fei Ngo Shan (Site A), two men approached and watched for a long time before robbing him. He was hurt in the incident. As you know Fei Ngo Shan is quite a remote area and usually there are lots of our fellow pilots and hikers in this area during weekend, but in weekdays it is danger to fly over there alone. If you really need to fly sailplanes there on weekdays, ask some of your friends to go with you and take extra cautious of people nearby.

Road Closed during Tin Hau Festival

Please note that, Tai Au Mun road, the road that leads to Clearwater Bay flying sites will be closed in day time during the Tin Hau Festival. The dates of closure are 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 30 all on April. However, you still be able to park your car in Clearwater bay beach and walk up to the flying sites.

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Irretrievable Damage to Our Flying Site!

Recently,  the Government Road Work department had done a horrible and irretrievable damage to our flying site in Fei Ngo Shan south facing slope! See the pictures below. A big metal box with electric installation was erected just right at spot where we normally squeeze in for R/C soaring. They also erected some light poles along the road, few of them are just right on our flying paths!  We feel that this work carried out by the Government without consulting our fellow pilots is totally unacceptable!   There are plenty of possible places where the electric box can be located, for example, the ground next to the notice board. Besides, this metal box looks really awful and is obstructing the scenic view. In addition, there are many possible places to erect the light poles, if the poles were erected on the inner side of the road, they are less obstructive to our cruising gliders and may be acceptable to us. This south facing slope is our best flying site during summer time. We should act now to stop the Government doing this irretrievable damage to our soaring treasure!

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This metal box looks really awful!

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Why not move the light pole to the inner side of the road?
See the first casualty so far

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Horrible! Will they clean up this mess? I bet not!


Be Careful of Sting by Bees!

Warning: In October 6 during Chung Yueng Festival, there was a sorrow event happened in Clearwater Bay. The event involved one of our active pilots and some angry bees. The misfortuner, Mr. Lee, who has landed his sailplane in the bushes far down the slope was chased and stung by a group of angry bees as he crawled through the dense bushes to recover his plane. He managed to make a mobile call for help before loosing conscious. The accident was immediately reported to the police and a few pilots rushed down to locate him. It took the firemen half an hour to recover him and brought him back to the road. He was unconscious all the way and was rushed to hospital immediately. Fortunately, after emergency treatment by doctors in hospital, he regained conscious and is now recovering well. This accident reminds us some important things beside enjoying soaring: Never fly alone! In case of accident, someone would be available for help. If you really need to go far down to recover the plane, equip yourself with the protective cloth and grove and bring a mobile phone with you. Pay extra caution when you crawl through the dense bushes, there may be snakes, bees and other poisonous insects, don't disturb them!

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Unconscious and on the way to hospital

Mr. Bees is now fully recovered and fly again. See his recent photo. Make sure not to disturb the bees again!


 

Local Publicity by Ming Po Daily

A brief report about our R/C soaring activity in Hong Kong was published by Ming Po Daily on January 7, 2001. The report described the basic principle of R/C slope soaring, where we can fly our sailplanes in Hong Kong, and also quoted a few words from our die-hard R/C soarers.  A reporter has actually paid a visit to us in Clearwater bay a week before and he was toured by John Chan and was shown how we enjoy our clean and fascinating hobby.

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Go to fly our sailplanes (279103 bytes)


Video Shooting of Our R/C Soaring Activities by Cable TV

On 5 May 2001, a TV crew from Cable TV has paid a visit to our flying site in Fei Ngo Shan. The crew interviewed our fellow pilots for information about the R/C soaring activities, how we got start in this wonderful sport, the principle behind slope soaring, how we perform aerobatic maneuvers, and etc. The video shooting will be broadcast on Channel 1 at 7:00pm on 11 May 2001. Have a look! You can also view the footage on i-cable or on hkcommunity.net.

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Stanley was interviewed by the TV crew. With the backing of many enthusiastic pilots behind the crew, he was demonstrating how a sailplane can perform aerobatic maneuver

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The camera man had a difficult time to catch the fast moving sailplanes.

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Stanley and Master Leung were demonstrating air combat skill while the camera man was busy on taking the shoots

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With an air show and a beautiful scenery in front of us, we are sure the TV viewers be excited by this wonderful sport


A new local R/C soaring club was born!

A great day with big wind in Clearwater Bay marked a new born local soaring club. With the supports from 36 enthusiastic pilots, we kicked start our club on 30 June 2001. The historical meeting took place in Clearwater Bay Country Club at the evening after having a day of soaring in the nearby flying site.  Our founding members also enjoyed a wonderful meal in the Country Club's restaurant after the meeting. Please visit the club's official web site if you want to join the club.

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The smiling founding members before the meeting

Overwhelming supports from our enthusiatic members (94634 bytes)
Overwhelming supports from our enthusiastic members


Tow plane for thermal soaring

While most of the soaring activities in Hong Kong center on slope soaring, a small group of r/c pilots leaded by Paul Wong dedicates its efforts on thermal soaring. Recently, they have designed and built a tow plane in order to support their activities in thermal soaring. Pictures below show the realization of their first goal - the successful maiden flight of their tow plane. For pilots interested in thermal soaring, please contact Paul at infowong@netvigator.com for information.

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On its maiden flight

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Paul with the tow plane


Accident in Ma On Shan

On 25, October 2001 during Chung Yeung Festival, a hiker walking along the Maclehose Trail in Ma On Shan Country Park was hit in his bum by a run-wild r/c sailplane. This unfortunate event happened when Mr. Ho, one of our fellow r/c soarers, tried to land his Multiplex Pilatus B4 headwind on the top of the east-facing slope in Ma On Shan. With strong influence of rotors closed to the ground, he lost control of the plane and it plunged into a group of hikers walking on the hiking path. The victim was hurt and appearing could not continue to walk after the incident. Firemen were called to take him down to the hospital. Fortunately, he was immediately discharged after the treatment. The chance of hitting people by a sailplane in the Ma On Shan area is extremely rare as usually there are not many hikers in this area and also there are plenty of open space for a sailplane to land! Anyway, this accident remind us that extra care must be taken in controlling your sailplanes particularly when there are people nearby.

Supplement: there were two more accidents happened in the same day in Clearwater Bay. The injuries were even more serious but somehow the cases were not reported to the police. One victim was hurt in his head and was rushed to hospital for treatment. Another victim sustained minor breeding but otherwise fine.

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News report


Fire in Clearwater Bay

The Clearwater Bay flying field was severely damaged by a fire supposed to be started at the night of October 26, 2001 by irresponsible people who may have throw burning cigarettes into the bushes. The one who did this should be fined for the damage he did to the environment! It takes months for nature to recover itself. Dear fellow pilots please take extra care in landing and recovering your sailplanes there!

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Who did that horrible damage to our flying ground?

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You see the smoke is still coming out!


Slope Combat Contest

On November 11, 2001, the Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society held a slope combat contest in Clearwater Bay. Totally, 28   pilots participated in the combat. They were split into three groups for the dog flight. Three rounds of combat were originally scheduled, however, as the wind condition deteriorated after the first combat in the second round, the CD called off the combat and decided to select the winners based on the scores from the first round. The champion, first runner up and second runner up are Lo Sung Pun, Choi Yiu Keung and Master Leung, respectively. The event was covered by the local news media including TVB and Oriental News.  Although the wind was not that cooperative, we did have a great day!

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All set, ready to launch!

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See the weapons!

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Pilots were concentrating on combat

TheCD, Master Fai, was carefully spotting any pilot violating the rules (157448 bytes)
The CD, Master Fai, was spotting any pilot violating the rules

The Champion, first and second runner ups (100611 bytes)
The Champion, first and second runner ups

Group photo after the contest (68137 bytes)
Group photo after the contest


HKRCSS 2001 Annual General Meeting

The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society held its first Annual General Meeting on 26 January, 2002.  There were 46  members and 10 guests participating in the meeting and the AGM dinner afterward. Good food and entertainment including video shows, quiz and lucky draw have contributed to the success of  this wonderful event.

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Chairman present his report in the AGM

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Gang of four! Chester,  Leung, Stanley and Willy

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Friendly conversation about the prize, quiz, and food, what else?

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The questions seem to be too difficult for them!

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What is the current F3F world record? Let me think.. 31.?? s!

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Little Law is the grand prize winner


Aviation Day and Exhibition

The Hong Kong Aviation Club has organized an open day and exhibition in the old Kai Tat Airport on Saturday  23, February 2002. The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society  (HKRCSS) was honored to be given a booth to exhibit some model gliders and to explain their r/c soaring activities to a large crowd of enthusiastic visitors. The club has put up some beautiful r/c gliders on the field, thank you Mr. Paul Wong for his tireless effort to put up the display and to explain the principle of r/c soaring to the visitors. A flight simulator was also set up to let visitors to get a feel of r/c soaring and indeed this attracted a large number of young visitors to the booth! The event has attracted a wide coverage from the local media and certainly the general public will have a deeper understanding of r/c soaring activity.

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Sailplanes on display include a tow plane, 4m fox and an F3B Ellipse III Cam models. Paul Wong (wearing a red cap) was enthusiastic to explain to the crowd on the principles of r/c soaring and the model sailplanes

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HKRCSS's team on manning the booth. One of the helper was very busy in helping our potential young pilots to play with the flight simulator.

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This little electric HLG was attracting a few young followers

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Visitors to the Aviation Day have the first chance to see the most beautifully constructed model gliders. Thank you Paul Wong for his effort in putting up the display of these gliders

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Oh! Is it a model helicopter? Let's fly it!

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Hello! How can I join this wonderful r/c glider flying activities? Well, start with the flight simulator first!

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All landed safely in this airfield?

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Mum, let me try this copter, I will be a good pilot twenty year later!


Slope soarers trapped in the bushes

On 23, August 2002, two newbies in slope soaring went to fly their sailplanes in Clearwater Bay. Their planes went down quickly after launched. They then went down to try to recover their planes but were trapped 200 ft down in the dense bushes. Firemen were called to rescue them. They were unhurt and appeared to be very happy with their recovered planes. Well, according to the weather report that day, the wind direction was southwest. Obvious to experience pilots Clearwater Bay is only suitable for easterly wind and is clearly NOT flyable for southwesterly wind! I guess they really need an introductory to slope soaring!

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News report


Slope Combat Contest in Fei Ngo Shan

The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society held a slope combat contest in the south-facing slope in Fei Ngo Shan on Sunday, 20 Oct. 2002. There were 36 pilots participating in the combat including one pilot traveled far from US!  The wind speed was light to moderate and although it was marginal for combat, it was good enough to have lots of fun.  Three rounds of contest were carried out. The champion is Au Chi Fai with a total score of 33, first  runner up is Jacky Lo and second runner up is Master Leung. The Booby prize goes to Stanley Chan. Congratulation!

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The first group in combat. It seems that they are rather kind to each other that means "no kill"

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The wind was cooperative and sure they've had good fun

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Intensive killing or not

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The combat zone

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Concentrate men! Master Leung you are using the old trick!

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The CD in guarding the rules

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Oh! poor chap, being knocked down is painful, but it would be   even more painful if you are not safely recovering your plane!  Take your time.

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Sure you all enjoy this kind of "killing" each other!

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See the faces of our fellow soarers, lots of fun isn't it?

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Thanks to the help from Lo's family, in particular, to Miss Lo for her excellent service.

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Oh! They are hijackers of the trophies, not the winners!

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The champion, Master Fai (right), is here

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Does the first runner up, Jacky (right), inherit the skill from his father, champion of last year contest?

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Oh! Master Leung (right), you got the second runner up again, same as last year contest! Does it mean you are over the top?

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Stanley (right), you got the booby prize? Oh, shame of you!

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The three serious killers! Avoid them!

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The winners and their prizes

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A valuable photo for you to keep. Cheer!

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Let's have the last fun of the day - massive launch

Slope Combat Contest in Fei Ngo Shan (3727435 bytes)
See a movie for the intense of the combat


F3F Race in Clearwater Bay North-Facing Slope

On Sunday, 3 Nov. 2002, a F3F race was held in Clearwater Bay north-facing slope. There were 13 pilots participating in the race. The race was started at 12:00pm and lasted until 4:00pm. Four rounds of race were completed. The wind speed was averaged at 18km/hr but there were lots of turbulence and the wind speed varied a lots so do the results. The best time is 55.38s by Jacky Lo and he also won the race. Here are the detailed scores:
Name Score Model Best Time (s)
Jacky Lo 2862 Miraj 55.38
Big Lo 2849 Shooting Star 60.03
Cheong 2782 Shooting Star 60.88
Stanley Chan 2766 Sting 57.13
K.Y. Mak 2669 Shooting Star 62.16
Master Leung 2636 Sting/Shooting Star 61.47
Cheung Wan Kin 2471 Sirius 68.00
Ip Chi Shing 2372 Shooting Star 69.09
Au Chi Fai 2361 Shooting Star 72.00
Alex Lip 2316 Minij 68.06
Lo Po Chung 2297 Shooting Star 67.94
Fu 2265 Minij 69.41
Alex So 1408 Shooting Star 74.84

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Minij turns in base B

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Our duly respected Tsz Ming in guarding base A

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Miraj picking speed after turn

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Sting speed run towards base B

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Minij in a close up

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Dive pass base A to kick start


F3F Race in Ma On Shan

A F3F race was held in Ngon Ping, Ma On Shan on Sunday, 15 Dec. 2002. There were18 pilots participating in the race. The weather was fine and the wind speed was average at 16km/hr. The lift was just good enough for the race and hence the overall times are on the lower side. Five rounds of contest were held. The best time is 67.25 by Stanley Chan and he also won the race by a big margin with five top scores on all rounds. Congratulation!.  The top 6 winners all have a wonderful prize donated by various sponsors.  Here are the detailed scores:
Name Score Model Best Time (s)
Stanley Chan 4000 Sting 67.25
Jacky Lo 3476 Miraj 72.57
Choi Yiu Keung 3418 Shooting Star 79.84
Ho Kwok Wai 3418 Shooting Star 74.84
Big Lo 3357 Shooting Star 79.21
Cheong 3350 Shooting Star 74.53
Fat Fai 3302 Sting 81.22
Cheung Wan Kin 3299 Smart 81.53
Y.C. Lui 3273 Shooting Star 79.55
Master Leung 3266 Sting 81.88
Alex Lip 3260 Minij 83.02
Stephen Chan 3242 Shooting Star 83.56
K. Y. Mak 3202 Shooting Star/MiniCorado 76.47
Joe 3161 Shooting Star 83.56
Fu 3154 Shooting Star 86.31
Alex So 2922 Shooting Star 90.84
Danny Ho 2856 MiniNYX 90.66
Ip Chi Sing 992 Shooting Star 108.28

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A group photo after the race

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The top racers are on
standby

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Loosing speed and altitude! Y.C., are you struggling?

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Master Leung, it is a slope race, not an aerobatic show! Why are  you flying so close to the slope? Well, the end result is .. CRASH!!

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Our honorable time keepers on guarding the post

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Shooting Star on a speedy fly pass

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One, two, three ... launch!

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The top six winners all have a wonderful prize donated by the sponsors

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See a movie for the speed run

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Another speed run


Slope soarers injured by a run wild sailplane

On   Sunday, 24 August 2003 while the typhoon Krovanh was approaching and no. 3 signal was hoisted, a few fellow pilots took the challenge to fly in Clearwater Bay. The wind was gusty and sure it is a golden opportunity for skillful pilots to fly their heavy models. However, this also attracted a few new comers who flew their light EPP models. In this kind of gusty wind condition without proper models and proper skill, accident are prone. Willy Lim, HKRCSS's past treasurer is an unfortunate victim. According to Willy, there were many EPP planes flying around the slope and he thought  he was quite safe standing on the grass field opposite the road and away from the hot spot near the slope. Still, he was hit in his head by a run wild EPP Eraser while he was discussing sailplane stuff with fellow pilots. "It happened so fast, the plane crashed to my head in a flash of a second and I have no time to react" said Willy. "I felt like being bumped at by a football and the next second I was just so dazy. Then I realized that I was bleeding. Luckily it isn't a moldy!" said Willy. Fortunately, after a detailed check up in hospital, he was discharged and back home with all his memory.

Dear fellow r/c pilots please take safety as your very first priority and never fly in the condition that you don't feel comfortable!

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